Trail Mix

I know there are tons of different trail mix recipes out there, but usually it's hard to get everyone to agree on what to put in it, or someone doesn't like something so they eat everything but that one thing..ok, I'm guilty.  This is one the kids helped mix up, we all picked our favorite things and threw them in for our week long camping trip.  (Even the non-raisin lovers ate the mix without picking them out!) You could also put them in small snack or sandwich baggies for individual servings.  Feel free to make it your way and share your recipe with us!
Here's our recipe:

• 1c. raisins
• 1c. dried blueberries
• 1c. pecans
• 1c. whole and sliced almonds
• 1c. peanuts
• 1c. chocolate chips
• 1c. butterscotch chips
• 1c. sunflower seeds

~Simply Angie

Freezing Peaches

I felt like I hit the jackpot this week - Colorado peaches $.99 a pound! For me, the process to freeze peaches is simple and relatively messy free. I also prefer freezing over canning peaches. You don't need a lot of fancy stuff for this little project either. I bought a lug of peaches but you can freeze any amount. I buy them a few at a time and freeze them throughout the season. Last summer I bought the cheap little vacuum gadget with the baggies and I love it!! It was on clearance and I got the gadget with the baggies for about $3.00. I also bought some gallon bags and use those for freezing corn and apples.
This is my peach freezing process:
Ripe peaches (as many or few as you want)
Containers or plastic bags
Fruit Fresh - I use about 1 T for each cup of peaches
I start with a large bowl filled with hot water and place about 8 peaches in the bowl for a few minutes. Then I transfer them to another large bowl filled with ice and cold water. After they sit in the cold water for a minute or tow, I cut them half, then cut them in half again. Then I grab the ends and pull the peaches sections away from the pit. You should have 4 large slices of peaches. Then I remove the outside peeling. If you start at one end the skin should peel right off without removing any of the peach. I like to slice mine and place them in a 1 or 2 gallon bag. I sprinkle some fruit fresh in the bag and shake the slices gently, the juice from the peaches will mix with the fruit fresh so I don't add any water. Then I remove the peach slices with a measuring cup and place them in my smaller bags. I put about 2-3 cups in each bag. Remove the air from your bag and place them in your freezer. That's it - simply frozen peaches!

frozen peaches

my bargain vacuum baggie gadget

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Brownies with Ganache

If you like chocolate, these are for you!  This is our mom's recipe, it never fails and makes a moist, cake like brownie.
Here's what you need:

• 1/2 c (one stick) softened butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 c sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 c + 1 T flour
• 1 16 ounce can Hershey Syrup (usually found in the ice cream topping aisle)

In a bowl cream together butter, sugar, eggs and salt. Then add flour and syrup and mix well. Pour onto a jelly roll pan or cookie sheet with sides. Bake 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Keep an eye on it, you don't want to over bake them.

For the Ganache:

• 1 c whipping cream
• 2 c chocolate chips or about 8-12 ounces of chopped chocolate pieces

You may have some Ganache left over, I keep it to top ice cream... or anything..YUM!

I used to try to make homemade frosting but it would always turn out too thick or sugary, then I made Ganache, it can be whipped for filling or icing, or just poured over whatever while it's warm. It will thicken the longer it sits. There are different ways to make it but this is how I made mine. I put my Pyrex batter bowl into a smaller pan that has about an inch of water. You want a bowl that fits the pan but doesn't touch the bottom. The idea is to slowly melt the chocolate and not overheat or it will separate...then you will have a hot mess! Put the chocolate chips and cream in the bowl over the pan of water and slowly heat them while stirring until they melt.
Another way to make it is to heat the cream and pour that over the chocolate chips to melt them. Either way works. For a shiny glaze, pour on top of the brownies, if you want it thicker to spread, let it cool, then stir and spread. I like to pour mine over the brownies while they are still warm, it is simply delicious!

~Simply Angie

Displaying Collections or Heirlooms

I'm not really a collector but I have "collected" some heirlooms and family memorabilia over the years.  Glass jars, vases or bowls are a great way to display collections, special heirlooms, and small items.  I used a couple of candle holders that I got "free" with a purchase years ago, and since I rarely use things for their original purpose, I filled them with special items from both of my Grandmas. I used one for thread, wooden spools and rickrack, in the other I put some game pieces and cards from a game that Grandma and I played together. Tammi uses a cake plate to display necklaces, earrings, vintage lipstick and pin. These could also be used to display and store the jewelry you use everyday also.

~Simply Angie